Russia Warns US That Korea Situation Could Spiral Out Of Control

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov explicitly warned the U.S.
against any increased military activity near the Demiilitarized
Zone, saying the situation could spiral out of control.

Reuters
reports that Lavrov said, "We are concerned that alongside
the adequate, collective reaction of the U.N. Security Council,
unilateral action is being taken around North Koreathat is
increasing military activity."

"The situation could simply get out of control," he
concluded.

The U.S. recently
flew two B-2 bombers near the DMZ on what they say was part
of the routine combined-arms bilateral training event called
"Foal Eagle." This is the second time the U.S. has has flown such
a mission.

Lavrov's comments come on the heels of Kim Jong-Il's announcement
that missile and artillery batteries have been put on stand-by to
fire on U.S. and South Korean targets. Though the announcement
could just be a part of Kim's intent to consolidate and fortify
his hold over his own people.

Last night Kim's staff released images of him signing the plans,
with maps in the background reading "US Mainland Strike Plan."
Yet those images were likely released for internal consumption,
as NKNews.org
pointed out, because they first appeared in domestic workers
papers.

One sign this could all be North Korean bluster, Garrett
reports, is that North Korea has kept open a key
industrial park where hundreds of South Koreans do
business every day and where global trade produces roughly $2
billion for the isolated nuclear power.

There is also a larger than normal U.S. presence in the
region due to the bilateral training event, and most likely in
part to North Korea's continued bluster.

Regardless, the situation is tense, and North Korea is decidedly
unpredictable.